tell us."
I stare ahead of myself, at the large stones with the beautiful foliage draped artfully over it. I've never seen such a beautiful building, it's like something out of a storybook.
I wonder what twisted fairy tales happen here?
"Lord Devareux had this house built as a replica of his home estate back in France. It's in Marseille, he's taken women that he's rescued there before. I'm sure you would love France, it's a beautiful country."
Ah.
So they know nothing of who I really am or how I came to be in the Jackal's possession. I shouldn't be so surprised, he wouldn't have broadcast he was selling the French woman that the Butcher had hunted down in the Bay.
My heart clenches as they direct me up the stone steps and into the mansion.
How will mon Monstre ever find me here?
The inside of the mansion is just as beautiful as the outside.
There are paintings on the walls, all of them originals, and there must be at least a hundred million dollars of oils up there. There are vases and sculptures too but I'm less familiar with them, painting and sketching being my usual interests. They’re beautiful though, everything here has been carefully curated to show not only the good eye of the collector but the obscene wealth of the Lord himself.
The carpets are plush and well tended, hand woven Moroccan rugs splayed out lavishly. This man is wealthy, an aristocrat, and thinks very highly of himself if he thinks he's saving all of these women.
I won't be tricked again.
"This way, ma'am. Lord Devareux is meeting you for an early breakfast. It's almost six now, did you know? A long drive for us all. He'll give you a tour of the property afterwards and he'll talk you through what we're doing here. Once you're comfortable then you can head up to your room to rest."
He moves me around the table until we reach the chair to the left of the head of the table and seats me there like a perfect gentleman. There's a full dinner setting on the table, the series of knives and forks all perfectly spaced out. The man who seated me clears his throat and takes my napkin.
"American girls are not used to dining this way but Lord Devareux insists on holding to traditions. The napkin must rest over your legs." I Ignore him completely, tensing when he leans over me to place the napkin down. He's careful not to touch me though and when he fusses with it I carefully slip the knife at his waist out of the sheath. When le Loup has shown me this maneuver I had been so sure I would never have use for it but, once again, she was right to teach me. As he straightens I quickly move my hand under the table so he can't see the little gift he has just given me.
A knife alone won't get me out of the building, and home to the Bay, but it's a start.
There's a flurry of movement outside of the dining room and the man straightens himself up, tugging on his clothes and fussing with his cuffs.
"You should speak to the lord. He's done a lot for you already," he murmurs, but keeps his eyes on the doorway. He must be something if they all act like this. Cruel and wicked, or at the very least he must be strict on his men. My stomach drops when he walks in.
The man is handsome with an open face and kind eyes.
Older than me by many years but still very handsome and fit. He is the exact type of man I would have wanted before I met Illi but all of the refinement just looks hollow and fake to me now.
And there’s the small issue that he bought me.
“Ah. There’s my lovely breakfast guest! You really are a beauty, aren't you? No, no! Don't get up, I'll join you."
I didn't move a muscle to get up but he wasn't really speaking to me, he was teaching me of his expectations. My father used to do the same thing, only with more sarcasm and beatings.
He smiles at the man who walked me in. "Thank you, Smith! You've done a fine job of escorting Miss Delancy here."
Miss who?
Oh.
Right. The Jackal would have given me a fake name. I could tell him all about it but... he might decide to kill me rather than send me back to mon Monstre. Better to play along for now.
He waves